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by Jan Hendrik von Ahlen

Mar 25, 2024

How to quickly craft cover letters using AI chatbots

Writing cover letters for Every. Single. Job. you apply for can feel like a real chore.

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, we’re advised to include one as a professional courtesy anyway.

No wonder the effort sometimes doesn’t seem worth it.

Wouldn’t it be great if cover letters could be whipped up quickly for jobs you’re interested in, without having to invest much time? Either way, you’d tick off the courtesy and introduction boxes, without all that effort going to waste should it not be read.

Well, there IS a way. Step forward AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Gemini (formerly Bard)!

We’ve been coaching job seekers for nearly twenty years in how to write effective cover letters. Our career coaches have tried and tested AI chatbots, originally trying to prove that humans are much better at it. Our conclusion? Yes, humans write great cover letters. But AI can also do an amazing (or even cough better) job.

In fact, AI is a fantastic method to produce cover letters quickly and to a high standard. If you’re not a confident letter writer, or you simply don’t have the time, AI will help you draft one that you would struggle to write on your own.

In this blog post, we’ll talk you through four very simple steps to do it. Our career coaches have played around with prompt wording to get the best combination and result as quickly as possible (you’re welcome).

For this exercise we’ll use ChatGPT, however the prompts will work in a similar way with other AI chatbots.

First things first

Before getting started, we decided to ask ChatGPT how to ensure a great end result.

JobLeads:

“I would like you to create a cover letter for me. What can I do to ensure you create the best letter possible for me?”

ChatGPT:

Certainly! To help me create the best cover letter for you, here are some tips and information you can provide:

Job Description: Share the job description or provide key details about the position you’re applying for. This will help me tailor the letter to match the specific requirements and skills sought by the employer.
Your Skills and Qualifications: Highlight your key skills, qualifications, and experiences that are relevant to the job. Mention any specific achievements or projects that demonstrate your capabilities.
Company Information: If you have details about the company’s values, mission, or specific projects, share them. This allows me to align your cover letter with the company culture and goals.
Your Unique Selling Points: What makes you stand out from other candidates? Whether it’s a unique skill, experience, or personal quality, let me know so I can emphasize it in the letter.
Contact Information: Provide the recipient’s name and title if available. If you don’t have this information, it’s okay; I can still create a general cover letter.
Any Specific Requests or Criteria: If the job posting mentions any specific requirements or requests, inform me so that I can address them in the cover letter.
Tone and Style: Let me know if you have a preference for a formal or slightly more casual tone. Also, mention if there are any specific points you want to highlight or avoid.
Your Career Goals: If applicable, share a bit about your career goals and how this position aligns with them. This can add a personal touch to the cover letter.

Remember, the more details you provide, the better I can tailor the cover letter to your specific needs. Feel free to share as much information as you’re comfortable with!

So now that we know what will help ChatGPT to produce a great cover letter, let’s dive into the specifics. Before getting started, ensure you have your resume and the description of the job you’re applying for on hand. If you have any additional information about the company, such as its values, add these to the end of the job description document before we begin.

OK – ready? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Instruction Prompt

Enter the following starter prompt into ChatGPT:

“Please create a cover letter for me. I’ll provide my resume, and the job description of the role I’m applying for. In approximately 250 words, please explain why I’m a close fit. Use my resume to find details about my length of experience, key skills and qualifications relevant to the job description, as well as my unique selling points. Point out 1-2 achievements from my resume that align with the job requirements. Please make the letter concise, precise, and professionally conversational. Do you understand?”

ChatGPT will reply with something along the lines of:

Yes, I understand. Please provide your resume and the job description, and I’ll create a concise, precise, and professionally conversational cover letter for you.

Step 2: Paste your resume

Reply to ChatGPT with the following prompt:

“First I will share my resume. Then I will share the job description. OK?”

ChatGPT:

Absolutely, that works perfectly. Please share your resume, and once you’ve provided the job description, I’ll craft the cover letter for you.

Enter this response:

“Thank you. Here is my resume: [paste your resume here, then hit enter]”

Once you do that, ChatGPT will reply with something like:

Thank you for providing your comprehensive resume. Please share the job description for the role you’re applying for, and I’ll proceed to create a concise and effective cover letter for you.

Step 3: Paste the job description

Reply to ChatGPT:

“Thank you. Here is the job description: [paste the job description, then hit enter]”

Once you do this, ChatGPT will rapidly draft the cover letter based on your inputs (i.e. your resume and the job description).

Here’s the job description we used for this exercise:

Job Title: Business Transformation Manager Company: TechAdvantage Solutions Location: Madrid, Spain

Job Description:

TechAdvantage Solutions, a forward-thinking technology company in Spain, is actively seeking a strategic Business Transformation Manager. In this pivotal role, you will bring your expertise to drive enterprise-level initiatives, streamlining operations, and fueling organizational growth. Your proven track record of successfully spearheading complex projects, implementing process improvements, and driving innovation will be instrumental in shaping our future success.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee end-to-end business transformation projects, demonstrating a mastery of project management methodologies and best practices. • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify and capitalize on opportunities for process optimization and efficiency improvement. • Develop and implement innovative strategies to drive organizational growth, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance. • Leverage your keen understanding of business processes to deliver transformative results aligned with corporate objectives. • Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, fostering collaboration and engagement across the organization. • Serve as a strategic advisor, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership based on your extensive industry knowledge. • Regularly participate in industry forums to stay abreast of the latest project management trends and best practices.

Qualifications: • Bachelor in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field. Master preferred. • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in business transformation and project management, with a focus on large-scale corporations. • Proven expertise in project management, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and change management. • Strong skills in project scheduling, scope management, and developing comprehensive project roadmaps. • Proficiency in business transformation, financial management, cost control, and risk management. • Knowledge of CRM systems and experience in agile methodologies. • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

Application Process:

Please submit your resume, a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, and a summary of a successful business transformation project you have led.

TechAdvantage Solutions is committed to fostering diversity in its workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Step 4: Review and edit the cover letter (if needed)

Based on the resume and job description provided, here’s what ChatGPT created for our fictional job seeker:

Enrico Caruso Barcelona, Spain │ 123 456 7890 │ ennycaruso@email.com | LinkedIn Profile

Dear Hiring Team,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Business Transformation Manager position at TechAdvantage Solutions, as advertised. With a proven track record of spearheading enterprise-level initiatives and driving innovation, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your organization’s success.

Over the past decade, I have excelled in senior project management roles, most recently as Senior Project Manager at IberiaInnovate Global. There, I led a comprehensive business process reengineering project resulting in a 20% reduction in operational costs and a 15% improvement in efficiency. My experience aligns seamlessly with your requirements, including expertise in project management, team leadership, strategic planning, and change management.

In my role at IberiaInnovate, I successfully implemented a new project management tool, reducing project completion times by 10%. Additionally, I managed the seamless implementation of a new ERP system, achieving a 25% improvement in data accuracy. These accomplishments demonstrate my ability to streamline operations and drive transformative results, skills that directly align with your needs.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, PMP and CCMP certifications, and proficiency in agile methodologies, I bring a robust skill set to enhance TechAdvantage Solutions’ business transformation initiatives. My commitment to diversity aligns with your company values, and I am eager to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Enclosed is my resume, providing further details on my achievements and qualifications. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences make me a strong fit for the Business Transformation Manager role at TechAdvantage Solutions.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to your dynamic team and driving transformative change within TechAdvantage Solutions.

Sincerely,

Enrico Caruso

I think we can all agree that ChatGPT did a pretty good job, don’t you think? When doing your own letter, review it carefully for accuracy and flow. If you’ve used the prompts provided, there should only be a few minor tweaks needed, if any.

Conclusion

There you have it. In just a few simple steps (and only a few seconds if you use our prompts to speed things up), ChatGPT has produced a fantastic cover letter with almost no effort from the user.

So – why not give it a try for yourself? Tip: ensure your resume is up-to-date and ideally pre-tailored towards the types of job you’re applying for, to make the end result from the AI chatbot even more precise.

Good luck with your faster, more streamlined job applications using AI chatbots!

Key takeaways

Chore No More: Writing cover letters for each job application can be tedious, but AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Gemini offer a quick and efficient solution
While humans can write excellent cover letters, AI chatbots can produce equally impressive results, making them an effective method for those short on time or confidence
Discover our simple four-step process (+ prompts!) to generate cover letters with AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Note: Have your resume and the job description on hand before getting started
To enhance the AI’s effectiveness, provide specific details such as the job description, your unique selling points, contact information, and any specific requests or criteria. This ensures a cover letter that aligns with individual needs
While the AI generates the cover letter, you should still review it for accuracy and flow. Minor tweaks may be needed, but overall, the AI-generated content serves as an excellent starting point for a personalized cover letter